Side by side
Exponent CMS vs Siteleaf
Both stand on content management systems. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Self-hostedWeb
Exponent CMS provides broad website-management features without a hosted plan. Its self-hosted model offers control, but installation, maintenance, extension checks, and lightweight e-commerce limits require attention.
Visit Exponent CMS Free plan APIWeb
Siteleaf combines Jekyll-oriented editing, GitHub syncing, and several publishing destinations for static sites. Check the plan limits and hosting arrangements before choosing it, since built-in hosting is unavailable for v2 sites.
Visit SiteleafThe facts
| Exponent CMS | Siteleaf | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | No |
| Runs on | Self-hosted, Web | API, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Personal: $7 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 5 |
| Maker | Exponent CMS | Not published |
| Website | exponentcms.org | siteleaf.com |
| On content management systems | #93 of 165 | #89 of 165 |
Exponent CMS: what it does well
- Free open-source software
- In-page editing while viewing content
- Editorial workflows and custom roles
- Multilingual and SEO support
- Themes, media library, and sub-themes
What to know first
- Self-hosting and database setup required
- Built-in e-commerce needs substantial setup
- E-commerce is less full-featured than dedicated applications
- Extension uploads do not check compatibility
Siteleaf: what it does well
- Edit visually or with Markdown.
- Preview changes before publishing.
- Sync edits with GitHub and revert earlier states.
- Publish to S3, GitHub Pages, or FTP/SFTP hosts.
- Free Developer plan and 14-day trial.
What to know first
- Built-in hosting is no longer offered for v2 sites.
- Developer plan uses public GitHub repositories.
- Team roles are limited to plans that include them.
Alternatives to Exponent CMS Alternatives to Siteleaf The whole list